Testimony from the Alabama Public Television Lawsuit
Testimony in a Jefferson County courtroom is revealing more details about the unexpected firing of former Alabama Public Television executive director Allan Pizzato. Pizzato filed suit in Jefferson County Circuit Court against the Alabama Education Television Commission and its seven members, claiming they violated the state’s open meetings law when they fired him at a June 12th meeting.
At a preliminary hearing Monday, APT Chief Operations Officer Charles Grantham testified that following a special meeting of the commission last Wednesday, he felt his job was threatened in a conversation with Commissioner J. Holland. The next day Grantham resigned his position effective August 31st.
On Tuesday, interim APT director Dan Boomershine testified that eleven days before the meeting where Pizatto was fired, Commission Chair Ferris Stephens contacted him about possibly serving as an interim director. He also said that in the same discussion he was told one of the reasons for the possible change was a difference of opinion about “Christian programming” between Pizatto and the commission.
No more testimony is expected. Jefferson County Circuit Judge Joseph Boohaker says he would like to rule by the end of the month.
Q&A: Bobby Carter on leading Tiny Desk, his time at Jackson State, early career advice
Carter, a Jackson State alumnus, took over as the new series host and producer for NPR’s “Tiny Desk Concerts” series in April.
Alabama to begin working with a consulting company that’s under criminal investigation
McKinsey & Company, an international consulting business, will help the state of Alabama develop a new strategic economic growth plan. The company is undertaking that project, while also dealing with a probe into whether it engaged in a criminal conspiracy.
‘Stupidity of politics’: Medicaid expansion effort dies in Mississippi
Mississippi lawmakers couldn’t come together to pass a bill that could have expanded Medicaid for thousands of residents.
This spiky-stemmed invasive grass is taking over Alabama
Classified as one of the worst weeds in the world, cogongrass aggressively crowds out native species and costs Alabama landowners tens of millions of dollars in lost revenue.
Gambling bill in doubt with three days left in the legislative session
Alabama lawmakers are coming down to the finish line for this year’s legislative session. Many bills await passage, but perhaps the biggest one up in the air is a lottery and gambling bill.
Pro-Palestinian demonstration draws counter-protest at University of Alabama
Students gathered demanding the school call for a permanent and immediate ceasefire and to push the school to sever ties with defense contractor Lockheed Martin.
